Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe / Alençon

You're on a greenway for this stage of La Véloscénie, with just a short stretch on roads to take you through hamlets around the A 28 motorway and another to reach Alençon town centre. A delightful trail leads through the Bourse Forest, beside the Vésone River.

If you're looking for a fine spot to picnic and mess around in boats, stop at the Lac du Pays Mêlois, covering 16 hectares. Here you can not only swim, but also try your hand at windsurfing, or your feet at pedalling a pédalo. You can even learn to sail here, or go fishing. There's a children's playground, a mini-golf course and tennis courts, plus picnic tables. This outdoor leisure centre is open weekends in May, June and September, and daily in July and August.